Shiho Fukada

On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake, that recorded as 9.0 on the Richter scale struck off the coast Japan. It was followed by a devastating tsunami that swept over cities, farmland, and port in the northern part of the country. It was the most powerful quake ever to hit the country. Along with the death toll, which is expected to reach 20,000, more than 130,000 lost their homes. The swept-away coastal towns may never be rebuilt again because of the possibility of tsunami in the future. To many of them, the memory of what was lost – loved ones, community, and home – is too painful for the survivors to come back, even if towns were rebuilt. Many of them say they will never go back to their hometown.